Chemistry Of The Atmosphere Flashcards
What gases were primarily present in the early atmosphere?
Mostly carbon dioxide with virtually no oxygen
Similar to the atmospheres of Mars and Venus today.
What additional gases were released by volcanic activity in the early atmosphere?
Nitrogen, water vapour, small amounts of methane, and ammonia
Nitrogen built up in the atmosphere over time.
What process formed the oceans from water vapour in the atmosphere?
Condensation of water vapour
This process led to the removal of carbon dioxide from the early atmosphere.
How did carbon dioxide get removed from the early atmosphere?
It dissolved in the oceans and formed carbonate precipitates
These precipitates formed sediments on the seabed.
What role did green plants and algae play in the atmosphere’s evolution?
They absorbed carbon dioxide for photosynthesis
This process contributed to the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
What happens to the carbon from dead organisms over time?
It becomes locked up in rocks and fossil fuels
This occurs as they are buried by sediment and compressed.
What are fossil fuels and how are they formed?
Coal, crude oil, and natural gas formed from decomposed organic matter
Crude oil and natural gas are formed from deposits of plankton.
What is coal and how is it formed?
A sedimentary rock made from thick plant deposits
It forms from the accumulation and compression of plant material over time.
What is limestone made of?
Mostly calcium carbonate deposits from marine organisms
It is also classified as a sedimentary rock.
What significant evolutionary event occurred about 2.7 billion years ago?
The evolution of algae
Algae were crucial in producing oxygen through photosynthesis.
What is the equation for photosynthesis?
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
This shows the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
What was the atmospheric composition about 200 million years ago?
Approximately 80% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, and small amounts of other gases
Other gases include carbon dioxide, noble gases, and water vapour.
How do Antarctic ice cores provide information about the atmosphere?
They trap bubbles of air that show how the atmosphere has changed over time
Deeper layers contain older air samples.
Describe the process of sedimentary rock formation.
Organisms die, are buried by sediment, and become compressed over millions of years
This process leads to the formation of rocks like coal and limestone.
What are greenhouse gases?
Greenhouse gases are gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor that act like an insulating layer in the Earth’s atmosphere.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect is the process where greenhouse gases absorb long wavelength radiation emitted from the Earth and re-radiate it, warming the Earth’s surface.
What human activities increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
Human activities that increase greenhouse gases include:
* Deforestation
* Burning fossil fuels
* Agriculture
* Creating waste
How is increasing carbon dioxide linked to climate change?
Increasing carbon dioxide levels from human activity are causing the Earth’s average temperature to rise, leading to climate change.
True or False: The Earth’s temperature varies naturally.
True
What are some potential consequences of climate change?
Potential consequences of climate change include:
* Melting polar ice caps
* Changes in rainfall patterns
* Increased frequency and severity of storms
* Changes in wild species distribution
What is a carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint measures the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released over the full life cycle of something.
Fill in the blank: Measuring the total carbon footprint of something can be really hard, though — or even _______.
impossible
What are some methods to reduce carbon footprints?
Methods to reduce carbon footprints include:
* Using renewable energy sources or nuclear energy
* Implementing more efficient processes
* Taxing emissions
* Capping emissions for companies
* Capturing and storing CO2 before it’s released
What challenges exist in reducing carbon emissions?
Challenges in reducing carbon emissions include:
* Lack of alternative technologies
* Economic concerns for governments
* Difficulty in achieving international agreements
* Resistance from individuals to change lifestyles
